Energy Democracy

As Kentuckians, we want what everybody wants:

This is why we’re working hard to build an energy democracy in Kentucky

Energy Democracy is the simple idea that communities, not companies, should control and benefit from our energy resources and systems. We know it’s not enough to advance clean energy solutions, unless those solutions are also putting power in the hands of residents, workers, and low-income and people-of-color communities.

In a state like Kentucky, where our utilities are monopolies that decide where we get our energy and how much we pay for it; where Kentuckians across the state consistently choose between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table; and where our energy predominantly still comes from extractive and profit-driven fossil fuel industries, working for energy democracy can look like many things.

We have a vision for Kentucky’s energy democracy, and we're taking action:

We're educating Kentuckians, particularly those who belong to a rural electric cooperative, through the Power House Project. This series of free workshops around the state teach Kentuckians how to reduce our bills and save energy, how to benefit from solar energy and utility energy efficiency programs, and how to collectively hold our utilities and elected officials accountable.

We’re speaking out and standing up against unfair and frequent rate increases by Kentucky’s investor-owned utilities. Click here for more information on the most recent campaign to stop Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities from raising–and rigging–rates.

We’re working to support innovative, local, and community-led solutions to Kentuckians’ high bills and poor housing stock, through programs like Benham$aves,

Claiming our energy democracy will be an important and necessary step in Kentucky’s Just Transition to equitable clean energy economy that works for all of us, no matter our color or gender, where we come from, or how much money we have.

Energy Democracy blog

The Solar Celebration at West 6th Farm on April 28 near Frankfort was a bittersweet event. Following the passage of the anti-net metering bill, SB 100, in the 2019 General Assemnbly, it seemed a bit strange to be celebrating.

An enthusiastic and diverse crowd turned out on May 11 at an event in Frankfort in support of a Just Transition to a clean energy economy and a Green New Deal for workers and communities.

The main event, a stop on a eight-city tour organized by the Sunrise Movement, was planned in partnership with KFTC and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 32BJ. The event featured State Rep. Attica Scott, KFTC members Kevin Short, Cassia Herron and Scott Shoupe, Sunrise Louisville Hub member Jenny Bencomo Suarez, Sunrise Executive Director Varshini Prakash, Erin Bridges, who plays a leading role in the Sunrise Louisville Hub and on the national Sunrise Steering Committee; and music by Appalatin.

KFTC members are involved in conversations on the local, state and national level about the Green New Deal, a bold and broad proposal to address climate change, set the country on a sustainable energy future and tackle inequalities in the energy economy and across society.

Anyone who has followed the progress of Senate Bill 100, which attacked ordinary Kentuckians’ access to rooftop solar during the 2019 General Assembly, knows that this legislative session, monopoly utilities were determined to have their way.

That didn’t stop KFTC and 10 other ally groups from building a strong base of pro-solar advocates to fight the progress of SB 100, introduced by Sen. Brandon Smith, every step of the way.